Amelie Geoffroy
By Ava Schmidt
The word "honest" embodies both positive and negative aspects. Freshman Amelie Geoffroy describes herself with this term, and when asked about its significance, she said, "I think that honesty can be a bad quality, because I forget to not say things and sometimes I end up sharing too much about myself. But I also think it’s a good quality, because they know a lot about you and you don’t have to fake being someone you're not, and that way they know your true self.”
As a freshman, Geoffroy joined the MBHS volleyball team with the goal of eventually making it to varsity. Like any sport, this ambition comes with its challenges. Volleyball was not her first love; rather, her mother encouraged her to start playing, and she has since developed a passion for the sport. Even those who may not know her intimately can see her commitment to improving in volleyball; when she makes an error, she quickly gets back up and continues to strive for success.
Geoffroy is known for her kind nature, which helps her easily make friends. However, one of her significant challenges is her inclination to try excessively hard to gain everyone's approval and ensure that she is liked by all. Geoffroy faces numerous challenges in her academic life with her mentioned weakness, and also feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork and expectations. However, when volleyball season starts, her demeanor shifts. On the court, her desire to please transforms into a strong motivator.
Geoffroy said, “My favorite aspect of volleyball is how it is a team sport and it relies on your teammates so much and that just makes the bond with your team a lot stronger and it’s just really fast-paced and that just makes it a really adrenaline-filled sport.” She said the camaraderie with her teammates provides the support she often lacks in the classroom, creating an environment of collaboration and trust. The fast-paced nature of the game pulls her into the moment, helping her focus on the sport rather than school-related pressures.
As the season progresses, the lessons of teamwork, resilience, and communication she learns on the court begin to influence her academic life. She starts to approach her studies with renewed determination, leaning on her classmates for support, just as she does with her teammates.
She believes that if you have such a strong bond with your teammates, it makes being a freshman on a volleyball team with a lot of new people a lot easier, especially when you already have other friends on the team. "In volleyball, every point counts, and you have to be fully present," she said, “And if you are not in the moment, you may miss a part of the game.” This applies to the rest of her life as well.
Neglecting to remain in the present can result in missing significant events and experiences. When people dwell on past mistakes or worry about future uncertainties, they may miss some key moments in their life that they may never get back. Geoffroy believes that if you are in the moment, you will be able to engage in any conversation, which can lead to making good friends.
